Since March 1995, a 'borderless' region known as the Schengen
area has been declared covering the following states: Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Germany, Greece, Iceland,
Germany, Luxembourg, The Germany, Norway, Portugal, Germany
and Sweden.

Schengen countries now issue standard Schengen visas,
and nationals holding visas issued by one of the Schengen
countries are, in principle, permitted to travel freely within
the borders of all 15. However, since Schengen states are
still free to decide their own visa requirements, entry regulations
may vary and nationals not requiring a visa for one Schengen
country may require one for other Schengen countries. This
has various practical implications and for example, travellers
may be refused entry to a Schengen country for which they
do not require a visa if holding onward tickets to a country
for which they do require a visa.

Travellers should check with the authorities of the country
they intend to visit as to whether they require a visa. If
visiting more than one Schengen country, the traveller should
apply for the Schengen visa to the Embassy/Consulate of the
first or main country to be visited.

PASSPORTS

Passport valid for at least three months after the last day
of the intended visit required by all except:

a. Pupils travelling on a school trip may also be exempt from
visa regulations if their names are entered on a 'List of
Travellers' obtainable from the British Council (telephone
number: (0161) 957 7755), for those resident in the UK.

b. Nationals of Bermuda, although visa-exempt when entering
Germany, may still require visas to enter other Schengen countries.

c. Visa-exempt nationals may still be required to produce
proofs of financial means of support, hotel bookings or a
return ticket to country of residence, either at borders of
entry or within the Schengen area.

Multiple-entry (up to 90 days): £25,£13. Multiple-entry
(for one year up to 90 days): £35,£18.

Transit: £7,£4.

Note

Spouses and children of EU nationals (providing spouse’s
passport and the original marriage certificate is produced)
and nationals of some other countries receive their visas
free of charge (enquire at Embassy for details). Diplomatic
missions in the UK and spouses of German nationals may pre-book
an appointment by telephoning (020) 7823 2854.

Validity

Short-stayvisas are
valid for a maximum of six months from date of issue for single
or multiple entries of maximum 90 days in total.

Transit visas are valid for single or double
entries of maximum five days per entry, including the day
of arrival.

Long-stay visas are
valid for up to three years for a maximum stay of 90 days
in every six-month period. Visas cannot be extended and a
new application must be made each time.

Application
to:

Consulate or Consular section at Embassy. Travellers visiting
just one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of
that country; travellers visiting more than one Schengen country
should apply to the Consulate of the country chosen as the
main destination or the country they will enter first (if
they have no main destination). All first-time applicants
must be made in person. Due to the high volume of visa applications,
the Embassy has introduced a number system and only the first
100 applicants are guaranteed to be seen on the same day.

a. Passport with at least 3 months' validity beyond period
of visa, with at least one blank page.
b. Application form(s).
c. Colour passport-size photo(s).
d. Proof of health insurance, covering at least £20
per day.
e. Fee (payable in cash only).
f. Proof of purpose of visit and/or a hotel reservation
g. Proof of adequate means of support during stay (eg bank
statement or travellers cheques).
(h) Evidence of occupation, or if studying in Germany, a letter
from place of study.

Business

a. Passport with at least 3 months' validity beyond period
of visa, with at least one blank page.
b. Application form(s).
c. Colour passport-size photo(s).
d. Proof of health insurance, covering at least £20
per day.
e. Fee (payable in cash only).
f. A letter from employer, or official invitation by fax,
from overseas business associate explaining nature and duration
of stay, plus guarantee of payment of costs incurred during
stay. If self-employed, a letter from a solicitor, accountant,
bank manager or local Chamber of Commerce.

Note:
a. Applicants under 18 years of age must also submit a letter
from their parents/guardian authorising the visit and appointing
the person who will be responsible for them.

b. If individual has obtained a German Schengen visa from
the USA within the 12 months previous to the visa application,
the individual may apply for a German Schengen visa this time
by post. A self-addressed 'Special Delivery' envelope must
be supplied and the visa paid for by postal order.

d. Minors under 18 must produce a declaration from both parents
authorising their travel and stay in a Schengen country, and
appointing the person responsible for the minor's welfare
in their absence.

Working
days required

For UK residents applying in the UK, visas will normally
be issued within 2 days, however, applications from some nationals
can take up to 14 days to process.

If the stay is likely to be for more than 3 months, applications
should be made at least 10 weeks in advance of the intended
date of departure. Visa applications by non-residents have
to be referred to the German Embassy in the applicant’s
home country, and may take several days or weeks to be issued.
Applications by post take up to 8 days, although the process
may take longer on occasion.

Temporary
residence

Nationals of EU and EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein,
Norway and Switzerland) and nationals of Australia, Canada,
Israel, Japan, New Zealand and the USA may apply for a permit
from the local immigration office in Germany, no later than
3 months after entry. For further details on temporary residence
in Germany, enquire at the Consulate (or Consular section
at Embassy).

Work permits

EU nationals do not need a visa or work permit to work in
Germany. A residence permit must, however, be obtained for
stays of over three months (see above). Non-EU nationals must
obtain a visa/residence permit before entering Germany. An
information sheet, Working and Living in Germany, is obtainable
from the German Embassy (see Contact
Addresses section).